Do you think it's enough?

[MummaBear03]

Just wondering if you think we're doing enough to save the planet? I mean, a mother of 6 I was talking to said she would love another child now that her baby is 2 but she isn't bringing anymore kids into a world like this one only to be wiped out before old age hits. Just wondering if you think we're doing enough? I think Earth Hour opened the eyes of a few people but believe there is still a lot we need to do, a lot more people that need to be educated on how to look after the planet. I think that we will need to go back a few steps before progressing in a greener way as far as technological advances go. I also think that people need to stop thinking of what's best for them right now and start thinking about what's best in the long-term for the next generation to still have trees and grass to play around on.

[Sheer Bliss]

There are a LOT of people who just won't care - not matter how much education is out there. Friends of ours don't recycle as it means having 2 bins in the kitchen & that looks messy :rolleyes:, can't use cloth nappies, as it's just gross & too much work. There will always be people like that, and it makes you feel as if nothing you do will be enough to change anything. Educating the kids is the best way IMO. When we are out walking & we see someone watering the lawns at 2pm on a 30 degree day - we tell DD what a naughty thing they are doing, show her whuch bin to put things in, turn out the lights etc etc. If SHE grows up thinking this is the norm - then maybe things have a chance of being enough.

On the other hand - a volcano could errupt somewhere & do more damage to the earth than mankind has done in our entire existance, and everything we have done is in vain. Mother nature has a plan somewhere along the line - doing everything we feel we can is all we can ever really do - the rest is up to her.

[MummyJen]

I'm actually really encouraged by how much people are doing for the planet these days... I just hope it's not too late!
I also worry that the biggest issue is being overlooked: overpopulation.
Surely if the population wasn't growing at such an alarming rate, we wouldn't be destroying more wilderness just to fit us all in; stripping resources just to feed & provide power supply for us all; polluting with the waste of millions; running out of food & water; and so on and on and on...

[MummaBear03]

I'm actually really encouraged by how much people are doing for the planet these days... I just hope it's not too late!
I also worry that the biggest issue is being overlooked: overpopulation.
Surely if the population wasn't growing at such an alarming rate, we wouldn't be destroying more wilderness just to fit us all in; stripping resources just to feed & provide power supply for us all; polluting with the waste of millions; running out of food & water; and so on and on and on...
I know what you mean. We live in NQ in the fastest growing city and I've been driving past one particular hill for quite a number of years now. It's always been lush and green. That was until it was chaincleared and bulldozed :(

I don't know why people keep moving here and buying houses that are far more than they are worth. We only have one public hospital to cater to 120,000+ people, and growing daily. We don't have the resources to support the growth. We have poor public transport, with one bus service and it doesn't go to all areas. In my area for instance, it come out twice a day and not on Sundays! If I was to work and had no car, my work hours would be severely limited as the bus doesn't pick up from out here until 8am and it drops back at 4 weekdays and even then it's irregular so there's no way I'd be working if I didn't own a car. Apart from that there's taxis. No trains up this way. We just simply don't have what's needed to support more people yet more houses are being built all the time, the town is spreading out more and more and now we have dingoes in our streets because, well, where else are they meant to go if their home has been knocked down and bulldozed? :gloomy:

[canberramomma]

Hubby and I have spoken about this, and we came to the agreement that 'ethical cleansing' might not be a bad idea for the nay-sayers. I mean, it's us or them, right? First to go would be anyone who does stupid things like turn all their lights on during Earth Hour!!:D

[MummyJen]

Hubby and I have spoken about this, and we came to the agreement that 'ethical cleansing' might not be a bad idea for the nay-sayers. I mean, it's us or them, right? First to go would be anyone who does stupid things like turn all their lights on during Earth Hour!!:D

And bad drivers!

[canberramomma]

And bad drivers!

:laughing:

And intolerant people who cluck their tongues at children who aren't behaving like perfect angels, and stupid MPs who won't agree to interest-free loans for installing renewable energy/water tanks in residential properties, and those idiots who blame greenies for bushfires, and .....

Hmm, we might have to have some very clear rules, eh?

[bootiful]

I'm actually really encouraged by how much people are doing for the planet these days... I just hope it's not too late!
I also worry that the biggest issue is being overlooked: overpopulation.
Surely if the population wasn't growing at such an alarming rate, we wouldn't be destroying more wilderness just to fit us all in; stripping resources just to feed & provide power supply for us all; polluting with the waste of millions; running out of food & water; and so on and on and on...

interesting topic...what do you propose? Do you think we should have a 2 child rule? Is the 1 child rule working for China? Haven't heard much about that lately.

I do agree that there are way too many people crammed into one area but unless we sterilize people after 2 kids there is nothing we can do...

I think we should really look at trying to live in outter areas. And stop allowing people to move country/continent in droves. It's the mass moves that overpopulate and damage the environment I think.

Also, there nees to be a law that cars over a certain age, unless kept in excellent condition, are taken off the roads. Im so sick of being stuck behind and old jellopy that is smoking harmful gas right into my face.:banghead:

There are so many steps everyone can take but we can only take them ourselves...i sleep better knowing that i do what i can and hope that my enthusiasm and good-doings rub off on others.

:flowerz:

[Funkychicken]

interesting topic...what do you propose? Do you think we should have a 2 child rule? Is the 1 child rule working for China? Haven't heard much about that lately.

Also, there nees to be a law that cars over a certain age, unless kept in excellent condition, are taken off the roads. Im so sick of being stuck behind and old jellopy that is smoking harmful gas right into my face.:banghead:



:flowerz:
I watched an interesting piece on Youtube recently and the situation in China is just horrendous. Apart form the fact that the 1 child rule just does not work at all (the number of girls born outweighs the boys by a massive percentage) they are on a collision course to eradicating their own country. There is very little land left that is not decimated or built upon.

On the old car issue?

I would love more info on this as I have often thought the same. The impact of these cars must be pretty huge. But, I have also been thinking about the options for these car owners. As in, what has a bigger impact on the environment-running a poorly-performing car or the production of one more new car?
I'd love to hear from anyone who knows more on this.

[reAllytee]

Hubby and I have spoken about this, and we came to the agreement that 'ethical cleansing' might not be a bad idea for the nay-sayers. I mean, it's us or them, right? First to go would be anyone who does stupid things like turn all their lights on during Earth Hour!!:D

Oi i had no choice with Squeak in hospital :p

*puts fists up*




Sometimes i think we arent doing enough because a) we are either to lazy :o or b) we just cant do it where we live ... It sucks !

Hopefully once we have moved in 12mths we will become far more self sufficient & doing way more for the planet & i cant wait !

The way that i look at it child wise is that im raising kids that are very aware & that will make changes in this world !

[Penthesilea]

David Suzuki says that half his books are aimed at kids - the kids educate the adults.


I think we just aren't catching on quickly enough. More people are doing the right thing; some people just don't care.

I know that the child care centres I've been involved with don't have a clue about reducing energy consumption, reducing waste or buying sustainably made products. Too busy worrying about the budget, frankly, and many other serious concerns. Kids' birthday parties produce too much waste. People talk about disposable nappies but we need to talk more about the waste of snack food we feed kids and the plastic wrap around school lunches, and cheap plastic toys, and all the little disposable items most parents and kids throw in the bin every day. Our local school talks about caring for the environment but then wants to release 100 balloons for Harmony Day (ah, no) and sell glow sticks at the school dance (um, no). And the school P&C nearly fell off their chairs when I ask we do an environmental audit of the school fete. I'm hoping for faster change.

As for us, we and most of our friends are pretty green - buy second hand, make little waste, eat fresh food cooked at home, compost, use the library, recycle, and before we buy something ask where it came from (what resources used) and where will it go when we have finished with it (will it break down) - sometimes I think we have environmental hypersensitivity when we ask if we can reuse a bread bag tag rather than throw it in the bin.

The main thing I think about is, while it it great we know so much about kids' development these days, it really won't add up to much if in thirty years the planet is cactus. Our children will hold us accountable, as they should, and we are failing them. Of course, everybody wants to do what is best for their kids. We need to factor in the environmental impact of what we are doing in the name of providing for our kids.

[Funkychicken]

Our local school talks about caring for the environment but then wants to release 100 balloons for Harmony Day
This is one of my most despised things! The amount of damage balloons do to the environment-especially to our sea creatures- is alarming!

On a touchier subject, I have been mulling over in my head for some time the topic of flowers in plastic wrappings at accident sites. I have no issue at all with the placing of flowers at these sites-indeed, I think it is a really important aspect of acknowledging the deceased person/s-but I can't help but cringe when I see flowers stuck on a pole or post still wrapped in the plastic and ribbons. This waste product has only one place to go-off into the air to land in some place it shouldn't be.
I have no idea on where to start to even attempt to educate people on this.

[bootiful]

with regards to the old car scheme - we only have to look to Japan.

I found this on some sites

*The law in Japan is that you have to get your car inspected in its 3rd year and then every 2 years after that. The price of inspection is set by the government and rises exponentially based on the age of the car, and you have to pay for any repairs to even unimportant parts of the car.

*After 10 years or so it becomes cheaper to buy a new car than to pay the inspection fee.

Is this the way to go???:confused:

I would be happy with get rid of a car when it starts smoking OR fix it.

[bootiful]

On a touchier subject, I have been mulling over in my head for some time the topic of flowers in plastic wrappings at accident sites. I have no issue at all with the placing of flowers at these sites-indeed, I think it is a really important aspect of acknowledging the deceased person/s-but I can't help but cringe when I see flowers stuck on a pole or post still wrapped in the plastic and ribbons. This waste product has only one place to go-off into the air to land in some place it shouldn't be.
I have no idea on where to start to even attempt to educate people on this.

I think maybe the florists need to come up with a biodegradeable wrapping (I know Lenards Chicken uses b/d bags).

Also i think i would put the flowers at death sites down to not thinking due to mourning. If they were thinking properly they would probably do what they do at graves and use vases or pots.

[Funkychicken]

Wow, they are strict in Japan!

It's still very confusing though, isn't it! It sounds great in terms of keeping 'bomby' cars off the road but at what cost (raw materials) in terms of new car production and the costs involved in all that checking? Hmmm...I think I need to go researching! :)

[Funkychicken]

I think maybe the florists need to come up with a biodegradeable wrapping (I know Lenards Chicken uses b/d bags).

Also i think i would put the flowers at death sites down to not thinking due to mourning. If they were thinking properly they would probably do what they do at graves and use vases or pots.
That is what I always come back to when I try to imagine what it must be like and I can't imagine I would be happy if some stranger started spouting about removing the plastic!
I am sure there must be a group or organization that could direct this though.

[Penthesilea]

And every fete wraps the chook wheel prizes in cellophane. We need to get creative to avoid using plastic that isn't generally reused.

[CrazySingleMama]

My ex DH never recycles - he always puts the recycling in with the normal rubbish. He's too lazy to even separate the occasional milk bottle/soft drink container etc. There are MANY people like him who are simply too lazy to bother making the effort. :mad:

[Mamalicious]

My ex DH never recycles - he always puts the recycling in with the normal rubbish. He's too lazy to even separate the occasional milk bottle/soft drink container etc. There are MANY people like him who are simply too lazy to bother making the effort. :mad:

Mine is similar...except instead of putting cans in the recycling and banana skins in the compost bin he just puts them on the windowsill. :mad:

[canberramomma]

Oi i had no choice with Squeak in hospital :p

*puts fists up*



I didn't mean those circumstances, you goose! Of course you are exempt! I meant those d###heads that actively decided to try to undo the good by switching all of their lights on. They were all over the opinion pieces!

[MummaBear03]

And every fete wraps the chook wheel prizes in cellophane. We need to get creative to avoid using plastic that isn't generally reused.
I reuse cellophane :p
If it's beyond using for another gift, I cut it up into pieces and DD makes craft out of it :yes:

As with something that was said ^^ up there somewhere about birthday parties, I agree 100% with that. I'm not getting much at all, most of the food will be home made, there will be streamers and 2 balloons, one on each side of the gazebo if we have it at the park, otherwise no balloons will be used. The other food, I buy the big bags of chips and so on and use those rather than smaller packs. We won't have much in the way of decorations and I'm not using plates, kids don't eat party food on plates anyway they just grab what they can in their hands and eat it like that, so I'm just using napkins for the cake and some paper (not plastic) cups and afterwards the cups can go into the recycling bin. There won't be copious amounts of food since kids prefer to run wild rather than sit and eat anyway. Her bike will be at the park, along with a number of balls and she's getting a scooter for her birthday too, as well as other play stuff at the park. I like active kids and encourage them to play rather than eat just because food is there. And there will be NO softdrink, just a big container of water.

[bootiful]

Wow, they are strict in Japan!

It's still very confusing though, isn't it! It sounds great in terms of keeping 'bomby' cars off the road but at what cost (raw materials) in terms of new car production and the costs involved in all that checking? Hmmm...I think I need to go researching! :)

I can't wait to see what you come up with :D


My ex DH never recycles - he always puts the recycling in with the normal rubbish. He's too lazy to even separate the occasional milk bottle/soft drink container etc. There are MANY people like him who are simply too lazy to bother making the effort. :mad:

for this very reason i made sure we moved into a council with municipal recycling...but DH doesnt like me doing my smelly composting :laughing: